Computer Science Undergraduate Program Evaluation and Renewal

Chen Greif, Professor / Head, Computer Science, Faculty of Science
Rachel Pottinger, Associate Professor / Associate Head, Undergraduate Program, Computer Science, Faculty of Science
Alice Campbell, Science Education Specialist, Computer Science, Faculty of Science

The computer science (CPSC) program has grown rapidly. This growth has challenged our programs’ coherence and consistency. Most CPSC courses have course learning outcomes (CLOs); however, these CLOs were developed on a course-by-course basis. We need to develop program-level learning outcomes (PLOs) to help us ensure the quality and relevance of our program as we continue to grow.

Through curricular mapping in year one, we will articulate what our students currently learn and identify implied PLOs, including both technical and non-technical skills. This will inform year two, where we will work with faculty, staff, students, industry, and alumni to develop desired PLOs. Additional mapping against these revised PLOs will identify where students are taught both the domain-specific objectives and hands-on competencies that CPSC graduates need. We will identify gaps and redundancies in student learning support.

The curriculum maps and PLOs will be made available to faculty and staff in our department, as well as advisors and stakeholders in faculties and departments whose students take CPSC courses. They will help us update and streamline our curriculum and provide greater visibility into how our courses interact with each other. Mapping course content against the PLOs will provide clarity to students and their advisors, and allow us to enhance integration and articulation. This will enhance students’ experiences and help them communicate their acquired knowledge and skills to graduate programs and employers. The PLOs will also help prospective employers, industry partners, and government get a clearer sense of our program.

We will first focus on the BSc in CPSC, and then assess our different specializations and service courses.

Chen Greif, Professor / Head, Computer Science, Faculty of Science
Rachel Pottinger, Associate Professor / Associate Head, Undergraduate Program, Computer Science, Faculty of Science
Alice Campbell, Science Education Specialist, Computer Science, Faculty of Science

The computer science (CPSC) program has grown rapidly. This growth has challenged our programs’ coherence and consistency. To date, our course development and improvement initiatives have successfully optimized individual courses, but without accounting for the effects of these changes on the program as a whole. We need to develop and map program-level learning outcomes (“PLOs”) to help us ensure the quality, relevance and coherence of our program as we continue to grow.

In year one, we collaborated with department members, including students, to begin defining PLOs, including technical and non-technical skills. We visualized our curriculum to provide greater visibility into how our courses interact with each other. In year two, we will consult with alumni and industry, finalize our PLOs and use them to map our curriculum.

The curriculum maps and PLOs will be made available to faculty and staff in our department, as well as advisors and stakeholders in faculties and departments whose students take CPSC courses. They will help us update and streamline our curriculum and provide greater visibility into how our courses interact with each other. Mapping our courses against the PLOs will identify where students are taught both the domain-specific objectives and hands-on competencies that CPSC graduates need, and allow us to enhance integration and articulation. This will enhance students’ experiences and help them communicate their acquired knowledge and skills to graduate programs and employers. The PLOs will also help prospective employers, industry partners, and government get a clearer sense of our program.